MKA-San Beda picked up its first win in Pool B after fending off veteran-laden Philippine Air Force in four sets, 25-22, 28-30, 25-23, 25-19, in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference at the Paco Arena, Sunday.
The Red Spikers and the Airmen are now tied at the third spot of their group with identical 1-1 win-loss records.
“Challenge sa kanila kapag alam nilang malakas ang kalaban. Mas nacha-challenge sila, mas lumalabas yung tunay na galing nila so ayun, parehas lang naman may skills, nasa kanila na yun kung paano sila gagalaw sa loob,” said San Beda head coach Ariel Dela Cruz.
Coming off a tight win in the third, the Red Spikers stepped on the gas pedal in the fourth frame and led by as big as six points, 20-14, after back-to-back hits from Kevin Montemayor and Anrei Bakil.
Ranran Abdilla tried to carry the fight for Air Force, unleashing a personal 4-1 blast, which included two blocks on Montemayor, to trim the deficit to just three, 18-21, but it was not enough as a couple of errors from the Airmen kick-started a 4-1 swing for the Red Spikers, ending the match.
“Inadvice ko sa kanila na mag-enjoy, dapat nakangiti sa loob ng court kasi doon sila huhugot ng (lakas) at makapag isip sila nang maayos,” added Dela Cruz.
Ralph Cabalsa scored 16 points on 16 attacks to go along with nine excellent digs to pace San Beda while Mohammad Tahiluddin had 14 points on 14 attacks laced with 11 excellent receptions.
Bakil and Greg Munsing added 10 points apiece while Montemayor had nine markers.
Jerome Lopez tossed 16 excellent sets to go along with seven points, including four service aces, for the Red Spikers.
San Beda takes on La Salle-EcoOil on Sunday, 5:00 p.m. as it looks for its second consecutive win in the tournament.
Abdilla’s 28-point outing went down the drain as the Airmen suffered their first loss of the season. He had 25 attacks, two blocks, and one service ace to go along with 11 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs.
Air Force will try to bounce back against Cabstars-Cabuyao on Friday, 5:00 p.m.
